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GLOBAL
*"Virginity Exams" in Afghanistan Continue Despite Government Efforts [ [link removed] ]*
Invasive and medically meaningless examinations, which are meant to determine a girl or women's virginity status by inspecting their hymen or inserting fingers into their vagina, have persisted in Afghanistan, despite the government's official public health policy that bars health workers from engaging in the abusive practice.

GLOBAL
*India Supreme Court Considering Allowing Women into Mosques [ [link removed] ]*
India's Supreme Court is now considering a case to allow women into mosques. Currently, most mosques in India do not allow women in at all or have a separate entrance for women to worship in a segregated area.

GLOBAL
*New Research Finds Women Make Nuclear War Less Imminent [ [link removed] ]*
New research, including research by the Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy, suggests that women are a vital part of preventing nuclear conflict, as well as resolving potential nuclear weapons issues. Including women in non-proliferation talks is proven to increase the diversity of ideas and lead to more positive outcomes.

GLOBAL
*Indian Political Party Nominates 41 Percent Female Candidates [ [link removed] ]*
The Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) is attempting to rectify India's poor representation of women in their lawmaking bodies by nominating 41 percent women candidates for races in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament.

ON THE HILL
*Congress to Reintroduce Women's Health Protection Act [ [link removed] ]*
On Tuesday, the Act for Women Campaign alongside Planned Parenthood, National Network of Abortion Funds, and Center of Reproductive Rights, held a briefing on two bills that aim to protect the constitutional and reproductive rights of women nationwide. The Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) protects abortion services against medically unnecessary restrictions, and the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act will abolish restrictions on federal coverage for abortion services, and promote affordability.

GLOBAL
*Afghan Women and Government Delegation Aim to Participate in US-Taliban Peace Talks [ [link removed] ]*
The President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, confirmed that a delegation representing the Afghan government and people will be going to Doha to meet with the Taliban representatives on April 20th. The 250 member delegation includes 52 women. The Taliban has yet to respond to this development.

GLOBAL
*Bangladeshi Teenage Girl Burned to Death After Reporting Sexual Harassment [ [link removed] ]*
Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a 19-year-old girl who reported her headmaster for sexual harassment, died on April 10 after being set on fire at school. Nusrat's death has resulted in protests and outrage on social media. Since her death, police have arrested 15 people, including seven individuals who were allegedly involved in the murder.

GLOBAL
*Court Rules TikTok Video App No Longer Permitted in India [ [link removed] ]*
The TikTok App has been removed from Indian Google and Apple Stores this week, as a result of a state court ruling. The app was determined to be exposing children to inappropriate content.

GLOBAL
*Saudi Women Continue Finding Ways to Flee Violence [ [link removed] ]*
Once again the world is hearing reports of two women fleeing their home of Saudi Arabia, shedding light on the status of women in the country. The two sisters, Wafa and Maha al-Subaie, have fled Saudi Arabia to seek asylum in the country of Georgia. Saudi Arabian citizens do not need entry visas for Georgia, however the sisters are also appealing to the U.N. to allow them refuge into a third, safer country. They fear their male relatives will track them down in Georgia and take them back to Saudi Arabia.

GLOBAL
*India Congress Spokesperson Quits Over Male Inappropriate Conduct [ [link removed] ]*
Priyanka Chaturvedi, the Congressional Spokesperson for India's UPCC Party, has resigned from her position. Chaturvedi stated in a message on Twitter that this was a result of misbehavior by workers as well as a lack of regard for her within the party ranks.